Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

2,011 Questions

Social inequality and discrimination involve the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities based on race, class, or gender. These concepts are frequently tested in UPSC, state PSC, and SSC exams. Practicing these questions helps clarify key sociological theories and structural challenges.

Environmental racism conceptsRacial prejudice strategiesWorkplace discrimination policiesMedia representation issuesSocial equality principles

Social Inequality and Discrimination Questions

Multiple choice

What is the most common form of discrimination faced by Indian students abroad?

  1. Racial discrimination

  2. Religious discrimination

  3. Caste discrimination

  4. Gender discrimination
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Racial discrimination is the most prevalent form of discrimination faced by Indian students abroad, often due to stereotypes and prejudices associated with their ethnicity.

Multiple choice

How does discrimination affect the mental health of Indian students abroad?

  1. Increased stress and anxiety

  2. Feelings of isolation and loneliness

  3. Reduced self-esteem and confidence

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Discrimination can have a profound impact on the mental health of Indian students abroad, leading to increased stress, anxiety, feelings of isolation, reduced self-esteem, and confidence.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of providing preferential treatment to historically disadvantaged groups in order to promote equality?

  1. Affirmative action

  2. Positive discrimination

  3. Equal opportunity

  4. Social justice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Affirmative action is the term used to describe the practice of providing preferential treatment to historically disadvantaged groups in order to promote equality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT an argument in favor of affirmative action?

  1. It promotes social justice.

  2. It increases diversity.

  3. It improves economic efficiency.

  4. It violates the principle of meritocracy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The principle of meritocracy holds that individuals should be rewarded based on their abilities and qualifications, rather than their social or economic background. Affirmative action policies, which provide preferential treatment to certain groups, can be seen as violating this principle.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of affirmative action policy?

  1. Quotas

  2. Preferences

  3. Set-asides

  4. Goals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Goals are not a type of affirmative action policy. Quotas, preferences, and set-asides are all types of affirmative action policies that involve giving preferential treatment to certain groups.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of affirmative action policy in government contracting?

  1. Quotas

  2. Preferences

  3. Set-asides

  4. Goals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Goals are not a type of affirmative action policy in government contracting. Quotas, preferences, and set-asides are all types of affirmative action policies in government contracting that involve giving preferential treatment to certain groups.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of affirmative action policy in housing?

  1. Quotas

  2. Preferences

  3. Set-asides

  4. Goals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Goals are not a type of affirmative action policy in housing. Quotas, preferences, and set-asides are all types of affirmative action policies in housing that involve giving preferential treatment to certain groups.

Multiple choice

Which type of adaptation to strain involves accepting the goals but rejecting the means to achieve them?

  1. Conformity

  2. Innovation

  3. Ritualism

  4. Retreatism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Innovation involves accepting the goals but rejecting the means to achieve them. This can lead to deviant behavior, such as crime, as individuals seek alternative ways to achieve their goals.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the systematic discrimination against a particular group of people?

  1. Racism

  2. Sexism

  3. Homophobia

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Racism, sexism, and homophobia are all forms of systematic discrimination against particular groups of people.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the systematic discrimination against a particular group of people?

  1. Racism

  2. Sexism

  3. Homophobia

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Racism, sexism, and homophobia are all forms of systematic discrimination against particular groups of people.

Multiple choice

What is the legal definition of a hate crime?

  1. A crime that is motivated by bias against a particular group of people.

  2. A crime that is committed against a person because of their race, religion, or national origin.

  3. A crime that is committed against a person because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A hate crime is defined as a crime that is motivated by bias against a particular group of people, including crimes that are committed against a person because of their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate representation of certain social groups in the criminal justice system?

  1. Mass Incarceration

  2. Overcriminalization

  3. Racial Profiling

  4. Selective Enforcement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mass Incarceration refers to the high rates of imprisonment in a society, particularly among certain social groups.

Multiple choice

Which social class is most likely to experience police brutality and excessive force?

  1. Upper Class

  2. Middle Class

  3. Working Class

  4. Lower Class
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The lower class is more likely to experience police brutality and excessive force due to their lack of resources and power.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which individuals from lower social classes are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and imprisoned?

  1. The School-to-Prison Pipeline

  2. The Criminalization of Poverty

  3. The Revolving Door

  4. The War on Drugs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The School-to-Prison Pipeline refers to the process by which students from lower social classes are pushed out of schools and into the criminal justice system.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process by which individuals from higher social classes are able to avoid the consequences of their crimes?

  1. White Privilege

  2. Class Privilege

  3. Legal Privilege

  4. Elite Privilege
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Class Privilege refers to the advantages and immunities enjoyed by individuals from higher social classes, which allow them to avoid the consequences of their crimes.